"COME ON!!!!!"-If you know anything about Tennis you know "Come On" is the universal cry that gushes from any tennis players mouth when they have just executed a huge shot and won a decisive point. Well Jenni Walsh can shout Come On with gusto because she nailed it!
Alice Marble is one facinating woman that I had very limited knowledge of prior to last year when I had the opportunity to read "Queen of the Court". Queen of the Court was a more historical/biography take on Marbles extrodinary life. Walsh did a wonderful job of narrarowing in on just a few story lines and wove them together beautifully.
Jenni Walsh came to my local bookstore and spoke to a crowd about her writing process for this book which added to my interest. She revealed she had very limited knowledge of tennis, and she wrote about it like a seasoned player (as a former tennis player myself I get frustrated sometimes when authors misrepresent tennis--I know, yes we are prima donnas)
You will develop a great sense of respect for Alice and all the difficulties she faced in her life, she suffered incredible loss and endured hardship. But inspite it all her determination show what a true competitor she was.
This book was facinating as well because Walsh informs the reader about so many interesting facts, I did not even know about tennis (Like woman were not allowed to jump??)
Also if you don't finish this book totally100% in love with Teach, then I dont know who you are!
As I learned with Queen of the Court, Alice was not the best historian and did seem to fabricate a few things, either way, she lived a remarkable life and I couldn't have been more excited than if it was 6-6 in a third set tiebreak!
Rush out to read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Jenni Walsh for allowing me to review this advanced copy read of Ace Marvel Spy. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for my honest review.

My rating is 5 stars
This book is about tennis legend Alice Marble from the early 1930s to the 1940s when she set he world on fire as a tennis star. and the WW2 changed her life. Before her whole focus was on tennis and as the war begins, she falls in love and loses it. She is trying to deal with her own tragedy and also wanting to strike the Germans the pain she feels. The book follows several different timelines in Alice's life from the start of her tennis career and also pivotal points which could have changed the entire stories.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Alice and her coach, Teach who was intimidating, loving and complex character.

Three words to describe this word: Tennis, Champion & War.

This audiobook is narrated beautifully, with excellent pacing and a skillful handling of an English accent. The narrator avoids sounding corny, except when deliberately exaggerating for a mocking tone, which adds humor. However, when attempting non-American or non-British accents, the execution felt rough and could pull you out of the moment.

The story is heavy on themes of loss and resilience, with the protagonist enduring a staggering number of hardships. Despite everything, she approaches each challenge with an "it is what it is" attitude that makes her story both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The author does a fantastic job weaving real-world history into fiction, incorporating actual people and events seamlessly. The shifts between past and present are smooth, adding depth to the narrative.

One surprise was the level of romance in the book. From the title and cover art, I expected a spy-centric plot, but romance seems to play a much larger role than anticipated. While I understand this reflects the real-life timeline of the person the story is based on, I went in expecting espionage to dominate the narrative.

Overall, this is a story of strength and survival, with a unique blend of history, romance, and personal triumph. Just go in knowing it leans heavier on romance than espionage.

Firstly, I love this book—the first five stars of the year of me. I would say that historical fiction set in WWII + a little-known female character in history; is very often equal to 4 or 5-star read for me.

In this one, we follow Alice Marble, a tennis woman in the 20th century within two different time frames: 1) "now" during WWII and 2) when she was younger and became a tennis champion. Despite the term "spy" in the title, we have very little spying in the book (which did not bother me at all but can if you choose this book for that in particular), but the author explains the reason very well in the afterword (to listen to because it was really interesting and allows you to better understand certain parts of the book and the influence of the author).

The only very little thing with which I had a bit of trouble was the passage when the death of someone was announced. It happens often at the beginning of a chapter and comes a bit from nowhere. Each time, I had to go back a little because I was convinced I missed a passage (but no).

Thank you to the author for introducing me to Alice Marble and thank you to NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

From the bestselling author of Unsinkable and The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh delivers a masterpiece, ACE, MARVEL, SPY, inspired by the true story of an icon—a tennis champion, world number one ranking, a remarkable, courageous, strong, and determined woman, Alice Marble.

Alice's life, filled with triumphs and challenges, is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. This captivating and inspiring historical fiction not only sets the tennis world on fire but also ignites a spark of inspiration in the hearts of its readers. A true heroine you will root for until the end.

Alice Marble and her tennis coach, Eleanor “Teach” Tennant, are formidable women in this captivating historical fiction. I loved this book so much. You will laugh and cry. No matter what gets Alice down, she perseveres with the help of her side-kick demanding and hilarious British coach. It is hard to imagine this in the 1930s and 1940s.

About...

Born in the small town of Beckwourth, CA, Alice Marble moved to San Francisco with her family at the age of five. A tomboy, her brother persuaded her to try tennis. They had little money, but her dream was about to come true. All her hard work will pay off.

Alice chose tennis as a sport when her brother Dan suggested it over baseball. Who knew she would become the #1 tennis champion while maintaining a growing career as an associate editor on Wonder Woman?

She also created the 'Wonder Women of History' feature for the comics, which told the stories of prominent women of history in comic form. This was a pioneering effort in highlighting the achievements of women in a male-dominated industry.

After being recruited by her tennis coach, Teach, she excelled, worked hard, and continued striving for the best. She went on to marry, but then her world crumbled after the news of her husband's death serving in the war in Germany and the miscarriage.

With the war halting her tennis, she wanted to help. The opportunity came when the US Army sent her a request under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland; she would be a spy for them. She wants nothing more than to avenge her husband's death.

But Alice's journey was not without its challenges. The war halted her tennis career, and she faced another setback with TB and going up against men. However, she did not let these challenges deter her. With the unwavering support of her coach, Alice overcame these obstacles and continued to excel in her career.

My thoughts...

The author brilliantly crafts an unforgettable story inspired by Alice's life and her memoir. The story came alive with letters, notes, telegrams, and newspaper articles. I appreciated the author's note and enjoy books about strong women, especially in this era in a man's world.

Alice was an American tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam championships, ranked No. 1 in the world in 1939. She was the top-ranked U.S. player from 1936 to 1940, with extensive accolades.

From winning the French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Grand Slam doubles, and much more, in 1964, Marble was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and became a tennis teacher in Palm Springs after retirement with Bille Jean King as one of her students. How cool is that?

Marble's contribution to the desegregation of American tennis was significant. She wrote an editorial in support of Althea Gibson, which was instrumental in Gibson's entry into the 1950 U.S. Championships. This made Gibson the first African-American player, man or woman, to compete in a Grand Slam event, a milestone in tennis history.

She inspired many and achieved many more things during and after her career, including being a spy. Thank you, Jenni, for a creative retelling of this memorable story. Meticulously researched, rich in detail and character, mixed with heartache, competition, drive, ambition, and humor.

ACE, MARVEL, SPY is enthralling: a fabulous mix of literary fiction, historical fiction, coming-of-age, sports, WWII, adult fiction, and feminism. A page-turner, the novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers and is perfect for book clubs. Marble was a remarkable woman with grit and determination, making her mark on the world.

If you love tennis (I come from a family of tennis players, my sons and grandson), you will adore ACE, MARVEL, SPY, and getting to know the dazzling Alice and her coach, Teach. I cannot wait to read the author's backlist! Love her writing style.

Audiobook...

Top Audiobook List of 2025! Last but not least... Oh my, I loved this audiobook, narrated by the mega-talented and favorite Gail Shalan! It was an award-winning performance; I listened to the audiobook twice and enjoyed it immensely. The banter between “Teach” and Alice laugh out loud hilarious, and priceless! Gail added the passion, intensity, suspense, and drama of both Alice and Teach. I especially enjoyed the parts about the men, and Gail's British accent (Teach) was riveting and highly entertaining. I highly recommend the audiobook. Thank me later. Quite the performance you do not want to miss.

BEHIND THE MIC: Speaking of Gail, stay tuned for my upcoming Feb (Blog/Newsletter) #AudioElevatorSeries Q&A Interview with Gail Shalan (the first to kick on a new series as part of my #AuthorElevatorSeries & #LitLiftMiniAuthorChats collection) where we go behind the mic, the audiobook, and the narrator. Get all the exclusives from Ace, Marvel, Spy, and her three other featured January audiobooks and upcoming projects and secrets inside the booth. I am a huge audiobook fan excited about this new series, connecting narrators and listeners. And, of course, Gail is the perfect storyteller! You are going to love it.

Recs...

For fans of the author and those who enjoy novels of strong, resilient women, sports fans and the works of Kate Quinn, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kristin Hannah, Patti Callahan Henry, and other historical fiction focused on real women and their bravery and courage.

A special thank you to Harper Muse and Harper Collins Focus for an ALC and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the paperback copy, which sits on display front and center in my home library. (I wish it came in hardcover).

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is the story of a woman who is tennis champion, an editor, and a spy. I had no idea who this woman was before I pickled up this book., But she was a true badass. I loved everything about this book.

I loved listening to this thrilling retelling of the tennis champion turned spy. The perfect listen for fans of WWII fiction with a twist.